Seven Ball: The Quickest Game of Pool There Is

What is Seven Ball?

Seven ball is a speedy rotational game. The average playtime is only around three minutes per game. The players shoot at the same seven object balls, permitting each participant to show skills to deliver a mix of different shots. Such as, combination and carom shots, defensive shots, and placement shots. Despite that, it is still attractive to players of moderate skill level. It is a game of “handicapping” your opponent. Participants must lower the number of pockets in which the better player can legally pocket the game winning seven ball.

This photo shows the "money ball" in play. The Seven-Ball is the money ball for this specific game pool, the same way that the 8-ball and 9-ball is for their corresponding games. Photo courtesy: kaffeefee of DeviantArt.

Objective

To legally pocket the 7-ball.

Balls Used

Object balls 1 through 7 and the cue ball.

Rules of the game

Setting up

With the help of a diamond rack, the billiard balls one to seven are racked in a hexagonal arrangement. The 1-ball is at the rack’s apex, centered on the table’s foot spot. While at the rack’s center is the 7-ball. All the other remaining balls are then placed clockwise from the 1-ball.

Starting the game

The starting player must either m﻿ake an open break﻿﻿ or ﻿﻿legally pocket an object ba﻿ll﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿. If he/she fails to do so, the incoming player has the choice between two things. Either a foul penalty (1), or have the balls re-racked to shoot the opening break shot. In subsequent games, players alternate in performing the break shot.

This photo shows how to rack pool balls for a game of 7-ball. A special diamond rack is typically used to arrange the balls. Although, the regular triangle rack may also be used if positioned sideways.

Scoring

Loss of game

In Seven ball, a player loses the game by committing any of the following errors:

Pocketing the 7-ball in a non-assigned pocket after the break

Committing a Scratch when the 7-ball is the legal object ball

Pockets the 7-ball on an illegal shot

Miss the shot when the 7-ball is the object ball (optional alternative is to assess Foul Penalty)

Commits three successive fouls

Penalty for Fouls

The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string. With the object balls in position. As an exception, the ball is spotted if the lowest numbered object ball is also behind the head string.

Player gets cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

Last updated on May 12th, 2018

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